The Nation Newspaper

Tag: May

  • Britain’s May heading to Brussels in hope of Brexit extension

    British Prime Minister Theresa May will on Wednesday head to Brussels for an emergency meeting of the European Council at which other EU leaders are expected to extend the Brexit deadline.

    May has requested to delay Britain’s EU departure from Friday till June 30, while European Council President Donald Tusk has proposed a flexible one-year extension.

    Report says all EU leaders need to agree to a delay.

    London needs time to broker parliamentary approval on a Brexit divorce deal negotiated with Brussels.

    Britain’s EU departure has already been postponed from March 29.

    Read Also: Brexit: PM Theresa May survives vote of no-confidence

    “As a condition for any delay – either the shorter option sought by May or Tusk’s one-year `flextension’ – Britain will likely have to take part in EU elections in late May,’’ EU diplomats have said.

    On Tuesday, lawmakers backed May’s plan to request an extension until June 30, voting by 420 to 110 in favour of a government motion.

    The prime minister was forced to table the motion after parliament approved a cross-party bill the previous day that legally obliged her to avoid a no-deal Brexit and request a delay.

    Britain’s parliament has rejected May’s withdrawal agreement three times but also failed to come up with a majority position on any other option.

    Her government held more talks on Tuesday with the opposition Labour Party in a bid to break the impasse in parliament.

    Labour lawmaker, Rebecca Long Bailey, told newsmen that the talks were “really constructive” and would continue on Wednesday.

    Labour’s key demand is that Britain remains in a long-term customs union with the EU.

  • May wins no-confidence vote

    British Prime Minister Theresa May has survived as prime minister after weathering a dramatic no-confidence vote in her government, but was left scrambling to strike a Brexit compromise that could secure the backing of parliament.

    May announced after the vote on Wednesday night that she would invite Jeremy Corbyn and other party leaders for immediate talks on how to secure a Brexit deal, although Labour later said Corbyn would decline the invitation.

    A day after overwhelmingly rejecting her Brexit deal, rebel Tories and Democratic Unionist party (DUP) MPs swung behind the prime minister to defeat Labour’s motion of no confidence by 325 votes to 306 – a majority of 19.

    The prime minister immediately extended her invitation to opposition leaders, having pointedly declined to do so earlier in the day.

    “I would like to ask the leaders of the parliamentary parties to meet with me individually, and I would like to start those meetings tonight,” she said.

    Corbyn responded by urging May to take a no-deal Brexit off the table, while the Scottish National party’s leader in Westminster, Ian Blackford, said a second referendum must be on the table for talks to take place.

    With just five days to go before May must make a statement to parliament setting out her Brexit plan B, Downing Street continued to indicate that she was not ready to budge on her red lines, including membership of a customs union.

    Conservative politicians are deeply divided about how May should adapt her deal to win over hostile MPs.

    The South Cambridgeshire Tory MP, Heidi Allen, said: “I thought she was incredibly brave [after the Brexit defeat] and it felt like she got that we need to change. But today it was: ‘I’ll talk to people, but my red lines are still there.’ And that’s not going to work at all.

    “Maybe the prime minister needs a little bit longer but she has got to reflect: stop pandering to the hard right of my party and start talking to those of us who have been working across parties for months. We’re a functioning, collaborative body already. She just needs to tap into us.”

    Some cabinet ministers clearly indicated the need for flexibility, with the justice secretary, David Gauke, warning that the government should not allow itself to be “boxed in”, and Amber Rudd suggesting a customs union could not be ruled out.

    The DUP was quick to stress that without their 10 MPs, the government would have lost the confidence vote, and called on May to focus on tackling their concerns with the Irish backstop.

    “Lessons will need to be learned from the vote in parliament. The issue of the backstop needs to be dealt with and we will continue to work to that end,” said Nigel Dodds, the party’s leader at Westminster.

  • May hails Nigerian who designed her jacket

    British Prime Minister Theresa May has hailed a Nigerian designer, Emmanuel Okoro, who designed the jacket she wore to Nigeria on Wednesday for an official visit.

    May, in a tweet, said: “I was delighted to meet @emmykasbit who designed the jacket I wore in hashtag#Nigeria hashtag# UKAfrica #MadeInNigeria.”

    Okoro is the founder of Emmy Kasbit. He started his brand in 2013. He was one of the top five finalists for Lagos Fashion and Design Week (LFDW) Fashion Focus 2017 and he has been showing his collections at the LFDW.

     

     

  • ‘May’s visit will deepen relationship between countries’

    The business community in Lagos says the visit of British Prime Minister, Theresa May, will deepen existing bilateral relationship between the two countries.

    Some members of the Lagos business community expressed their views on the sideline of the British Prime Minister’s meeting with the business community in Lagos on Wednesday.

    Mr Akin Olawore, the President of Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), said that the meeting was pertinent for Nigeria to maintain a strong economic relationship with Britain in alignment with its membership of the Commonwealth.

    “It seems very convincing now that Britain wants to explore trade with Nigeria and we are also ready to do business with them.

    “We are supposed to be natural business partners because we have so many things in common.

    “But I believe this visit is setting a tone for partnership because we can now work together and see how we can help each other achieve real trade growth.

    “Now that they are ready for serious business with Nigeria, genuine business people can take advantage of the opportunities,” he said.

    Olawore said that the proposed Investment Cooperation Agreement (TICA) between the two countries would enhance trade competitiveness, economic growth and ease of the business climate in the country.

    “The Cooperation Agreement means we are now partners and it will also spell out conditions of free trade agreements

    “If you look at our agric export, for lack of meeting their standard or European Union standard, they were stopped at the port, but now that will not happen again.

    “Instead of stopping it at the ports, they will come and work with us here to ensure that the standard is what they expecectd it to be which is how partnerships work, you do not wait till the person make mistakes, but you work together to achieve mutual growth,”he said.

    He said that trade betwen Britain and Nigeria was expected to rise above 100 million pounds before the end of 2018 and could hit $8 billion by 2020.

    Mr Babatunde Ruwase, the President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said that the business community should position itself to explore the various opportunities and maximise the benefits of the mutual partnership.

    “It is a good development for Nigeria and British relationship because we can see enthusiasm that came from the Prime Minister’s visit and her planned investment in certain sectors of the economy.

    “Particularly, their interest in the areas of improving investment in Fintech and infrastructure development,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria is Britain’s second largest trading partner in Africa.

    Nigeria’s top export to the UK is crude oil and its largest import is refined oil.

    May is on a trade mission in an attempt to bolster Britain’s post-Brexit fortunes.

    This is her first visit to Africa since she became Prime Minister in 2016.

    The visit was part of her efforts to “deepen and strengthen partnerships around the world as the UK prepares to leave the European Union (EU) next year.

  • Buhari to May: 2019 polls will be free, fair, credible

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday assured British Prime Minister Theresa May of his commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections in 2019.

    The President spoke during a bilateral meeting with the visiting Prime Minister at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Buhari, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, welcomed Britain’s support at strengthening democratic institutions in the country.

    He said: “I assure you that I’m all out for free, fair and credible elections. I’m very pleased that my party is doing very well. The High Commissioner will brief you more. The recent successes in polls in Katsina, Bauchi, and Kogi have boosted our morale greatly.

    ‘‘Nigeria has accepted multiparty democracy and that is putting politicians on their toes, forcing them to work harder,’’ he said.

    On the anti-corruption campaign, the President applauded Britain’s support to Nigeria, noting that the success of the fight is very important to ordinary Nigerians.

    He said: “We had great opportunities and resources between 1999 and 2014, due to high oil prices. But when we came in 2015, oil prices plunged to as low as 37 dollars per barrel.

    ‘‘What we have been doing since 2015 is to focus on infrastructure development, despite low earnings. Work is ongoing in roads, rail, power, and many others.”

    On Brexit, Buhari noted that it provides an opportunity to strengthen the historic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

    ‘‘We are nervously watching the development about Brexit because we know that the relationship had been on for a long time.  I assure you that I am prepared to strengthen the relationship between our two countries.’’

    The President also thanked the UK government for its support on security and the fight against insurgency in the North Eastern part of Nigeria, and the improved trade relations between both countries.

    ‘‘I am very grateful to the British government under you leadership for the help in security, particularly your training team that is in our institution in Kaduna,’’ he said.

    Speaking earlier before the bilateral meeting, Buhari underscored the need for UK support on reviving of Lake Chad, which is a means of livelihood for millions of people.  The water is said to be dying up, putting at risk fishing, which is the major means of livelihood for many.

    The President told the visiting Prime Minister that Europe and China were already conducting an in-depth study on recharging the Lake through inter-basin transfer from the Central African Republic.

    May, who welcomed the assurance by the federal government on credible elections in 2019, said she was pleased to be in Abuja to continue the ‘‘excellent discussions’’ she started with President Buhari in London last April, particularly on security, trade, asset recovery and the fight against corruption.

    ‘‘Security and defence cooperation are very important steps to address Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa,’’ May said.

    On asset recovery, the Prime Minister told President Buhari: ‘‘We do not want to hold anything that belongs to Nigerian people, but we follow the judicial process, which can be slow.’’

    The Prime Minister urged Buhari to use his position as ECOWAS Chair to keep human trafficking on the front burner in the sub-region.

    President Buhari and Prime Minister May witnessed the signing of two agreements: Security and Defence Partnership and Economic Development Forum Agreement.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said: “There were two agreements that were signed today. The first one was Defence and Security Partnership between the two countries. It was signed by the respective national security advisers and the second one was on Economic Development Forum that has been set up.

    “This clearly highlights the two priority areas in our relationship at the moment.

    “Under the Defence and Security Pact, it is a comprehensive agreement that covers all aspects of security challenges. So, apart from the military training, there is also the support for policing, civil policing, human rights aspect of security and the close cooperation that the two countries will have, the training that will be provided by the UK to our security forces.

    “On the economic development forum, this is a forum that really aims at co-prosperity. The prosperity of our two countries is sloping to leverage in areas where we have as countries comparative advantages, the financial centre that London is and the investment opportunities in our country and ready to build that up with the private sector as well as the government level. So everything will be comprehensive and involve different stakeholders and this is in the context of UK’s BREXIT. Coming out of the European union, they feel freer now to engage with countries on bilateral level and build up trade relations with those countries.

    “For us, this also fits into our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan where Mr. President has put forward a roadmap that is really transforming this country. So this partnership is a framework that is very key to our Economic Growth and Development Plan.”

    “On human rights, we have taken a number of steps. Mr. President has set up a committee that looks into the various allegations made against our military and the process is ongoing and we are very keen to have as a government a mechanism within the security apparatus of this country that ensures that the correct procedures and methods are employed by the military and so of course, in a cooperation with us in the area of security, the United Kingdom and other countries also expect that we will maintain the highest human rights standard,” Onyeama said

     

    UK offers Lagos access to 750m pounds finance

    British Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday told the Lagos State Government of the availability of 750 million Pounds export credit finance to benefit from.

    Speaking during a whistle-stop visit to Lagos, Mrs May pointed out the important role a stable government in Lagos had played in giving confidence to investors.

    The prime minister arrived at the Presidential Wing of the International Airport at about 4:30pm. She was received by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Deputy Governor Oluranti Adebule, Secretary to the State Government Tunji Bello and Special Adviser Overseas Affairs and Investment Ademola Abass.

    She hinted of her interest in the development of the technology industry in Lagos, adding that an expert in Fintech was on her delegation.

    .She also noted the special strength of the London City as a financial hub that could be of considerable importance to Lagos State. She urged the sustainability and growth in the UK/Lagos relationship.

    Ambode said Nigerian education, cultural and political systems were largely influenced by Britain and that there are more Nigerians living in the UK than elsewhere outside Nigeria.

    He told the prime minister that Lagos remained a place of choice for British investors especially given that stability in the government, the size of the Lagos economy and population, the particular focus of his administration on the rule of law and justice sector reform.

    He said it would be of particular importance to Lagos State if British investors could explore the various opportunities in the areas of energy, technology, export finance, infrastructure and the creative industry.

    Ambode said “the important part of this visit to us about how investment in Lagos can be improved upon by British investors and you would realize that Lagos is the commercial capital of Nigeria and a whole lot of British investments are domiciled in Lagos.  We spoke about how we can improve the investment climate in Lagos and then the other parts of what Lagos has been doing to attract investors. You know we have been doing a lot in judicial sector reforms and security sector reforms.”

    Giving her impression of the visit, Mrs May told reporters: “I have had a fantastic visit to Nigeria and we have outstanding relationship between UK and Nigeria but there is much more that we can do in the future. I enjoyed being able to come to Abuja and also to Lagos to see the thriving business community here.

    “We want to see increased trade between Nigeria and UK; increased investment; bringing jobs here to Nigeria, jobs in the UK being good for both countries and I have had an excellent time here and I am very pleased to being able to be here and thank you Governor (Ambode).”

  • May and her Nigeria poverty figures

    BRITISH Prime Minister Theresa May has painted a gloomy picture of Nigeria’s poverty situation. By the way, Madam May was on whistle-stop visit to Nigeria yesterday. She spent a few hours here.

    In Cape Town, South Africa, May said on Tuesday that 87 million Nigerians were living below $1.90 a day, making Nigeria home to “more very poor people than any other country”. This, according to her, is despite the fact that many Nigerians are enjoying the fruits of a resurgent economy.

    The problem, in her view, is “achieving not just growth but inclusive growth”. This is a challenge faced by “governments in the UK, Europe, North America and beyond”. “And as African economies become more successful, it is an issue that is being confronted here.”

    Fine. But, not so fast, Madam Prime Minister.  The poverty in Nigeria is a result of many years of stealing from the common purse by a few who have found collaborators outside our shores, including Britain. Most of the cash looted by our indecent leaders are kept in British banks. A sizeable chunk of the loot is invested in mansions in London and other places.

    If there is no place to hide the loot, the thief may find stealing less attractive. If the rate of stealing drops, poverty will decline. Britain should stop lending aid and comfort to looters.

     

  • Ambode welcomes UK PM to Lagos

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday received the British Prime Minister, Theresa May in Lagos, affirming that the State remains a choice destination for investors from the United Kingdom.

    The British Prime Minister, who arrived the Presidential Wing of the International Airport at about 4:30pm, was received by the Governor, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello and the Special Adviser, Overseas Affairs and Investment, Professor Ademola Abass.

    The Governor said he was delighted to welcome the British Prime Minister to Lagos, noting that the relationship between Britain and Nigeria dated back to the nineteenth century.

    He said that much of Nigerian education, cultural and political systems was influenced by Britain and that there are more Nigerians living in the UK than elsewhere in the world outside Nigeria.

    Governor Ambode emphasised that Lagos remained a place of choice for British investors especially given that stability in the government, the size of Lagos economy and population as well as the particular focus of his administration on the rule of law and justice sector reform.

    “We just had a sort of bilateral discussion with the Prime Minister of Britain and just like what you are already aware of, she had actually visited Abuja earlier in the day to see Mr President but again the important part of this visit to us more or less is to discuss about how investment in Lagos can be improved upon by British investors and you would realize the fact that Lagos is the commercial capital of Nigeria and a whole lot of British investments are actually domiciled in Lagos,” he said.

    All of these, the Governor said, have not only enhanced the ease of doing business in Lagos but also ensured a greater protection of people and investment in the State.

    He also said that it would be of particular importance to Lagos State if British investors could explore the various opportunities that exist in the State in the areas of energy, technology, export finance, infrastructure and the creative industry.

    “So, we spoke about how we can improve the investment climate in Lagos and then the other parts of what Lagos has been doing to attract investors. You know we have been doing a lot in judicial sector reforms and security sector reforms and the Prime Minister was pleased with the progress that we are making in Lagos and ready to compliment our efforts by opening up export credit facility and development finance to some of the things that we are doing in Lagos State.

    The Governor expressed optimism in the strengthening of the relationship between Britain and Lagos and avowed that his administration would do whatever it takes to achieve that goal.

    “We spoke about things relating to technology, infrastructure and also the creative industry. The relationship that Lagos has had with Britain dates back years and you know Lagos in 1861 was a British Colony and so the history has been so long that we need to just reactivate that and also make sure that a whole lot of British investments come in to Lagos and she is pleased with the progress that has made. She has gone round and she is willing to do more with us and encouraging British investors to come in to Lagos and we are happy with that,” he said.

    Speaking to journalists at the airport, the British Prime Minister noted that she was happy to be in Nigeria and Lagos in particular to see the thriving business community.

    “I have had a fantastic visit to Nigeria and we have outstanding relationship between UK and Nigeria but there is much more that we can do in the future. I enjoyed being able to come to Abuja and also to Lagos to see the thriving business community here.

    “We want to see increased trade between Nigeria and UK; increased investment; bringing jobs here to Nigeria, jobs in the UK being good for both countries and I have had an excellent time here and I am very pleased to being able to be here and thank you Governor (Ambode),” the British PM said.

    She pointed out the important role that a stable government in Lagos plays in giving extra confidence of investors in the State.

    The Head of the British Government also disclosed the availability of export credit finance to the tune of 750 million pound sterling as well as a considerable development finance, which Lagos State could look towards.

    She spoke about the role that British could play in the development of the technology industry in Lagos given the particular capability of the UK in that area.

    In that regard, the PM disclosed that she brought as part of her delegation, an expert in Fintech to explore the opportunity in this area that Lagos could benefit from.

    The British Prime Minister also noted the special strength of the London City as a financial hub that could be of considerable importance for Lagos State, just as she emphasized sustainability and growth in Britain/Lagos relationship. 

    She further expressed the desire of the British government to assist Lagos in the development of her creative industry and alluded to the fact that the jacket she was wearing when she met with the Governor was actually made in Nigeria.

  • UK ‘ll use aid budget to boost trade in Africa, says May

    Britain will use its international aid budget to boost its interests and deepen trade ties with Africa, Prime Minister Theresa May said yesterday.

    She is due in Nigeria today to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari and to visist Lagos before leaving for Kenya on the last leg of her three-nation African tour.

    Speaking in Cape Town yesterday, Mrs May said she wanted Britain to become the biggest investor in Africa out of the Group of Seven nations, overtaking the united States by using the aid budget to help British companies invest on the continent.

    The government has held out the prospect of increased trade with non-European Union countries as one of the major selling points of Brexit as it prepares to leave the bloc, currently its biggest trading partner, in March next year.

    In April, Britain hosted a meeting of Commonwealth countries, including South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, seeking to reinvigorate the network of mostly former colonies and drum up new trade amongst its members.

    May recommitted to maintaining the overall British aid budget at 0.7 per cent of economic output but said she would use it in a way that helped Britain.

    “I am unashamed about the need to ensure that our aid programme works for the UK,” May said.

    “Today I am committing that our development spending will not only combat extreme poverty, but at the same time tackle global challenges and support our own national interest.”

    Britain’s overseas aid last year was 13.9 billion pounds (18 billion dollars).

    May, who was accompanied by a delegation of British business executives, also said Britain would work with African states to tackle insecurity and migration by creating jobs.

    “It is in the world’s interest to see that those jobs are created, to tackle the causes and symptoms of extremism and instability, to deal with migration flows and to encourage clean growth,” May said.

    According to the UN Conference on Trade and Development, British direct investment in Africa was 43 billion pounds ($55.5 billion) in 2016, compared to 44 billion pounds (56.7 billion dollars) from the U. S.

    Investment from France, which maintains close ties with its former colonies in West Africa, stood at 38 billion pounds ($49 billion) and from China, rapidly becoming a major player in Africa, 31 billion pounds (40 billion).

    Mrs May said 87 million Nigerians were living below the poverty line of $1 and 90 cents per day.

    She said: “Much of Nigeria is thriving, with many individuals enjoying the fruits of a resurgent economy, yet 87 million Nigerians live below $1 and 90 cents a day, making it home to more very poor people than any other nation in the world.”

    The Prime Minister noted that achieving inclusive growth was a major challenge across the world.

    She stressed that Africa needs to create 50,000 new jobs per day to keep employment rate at its current levels till 2035.

    ”Today I am committing that our development spending will not only combat extreme poverty but at the same time tackle global challenges and support our own national interest.

    “It is in the world’s interest to see that those jobs are created, to tackle the causes and symptoms of extremism and instability, to deal with migration flows and to encourage clean growth,” she added.

    The UK’s historical relationship with many African countries still counts for something, but, as Prime Minister Theresa May will find on her trip to the continent, the UK now vies for attention with larger economies offering greater riches.

    The continent’s leaders need to decide who to prioritise: an ambitious but friendly China, the huge European Union bloc, the potential riches of the United States, or the historically-linked United Kingdom.

    The prime minister’s trip comes a week before the huge Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing. Dozens of African heads of state are expected there and China may offer new trade and finance deals. Mrs May’s trip seems rather low key in comparison.

    Yesterday, Mrs May flew into Cape Town where she met young people, before delivering a keynote speech on trade and how UK private sector investment could be brought into Africa.

    After a bilateral meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, she visited Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years.

    She had a guided tour and was handed a key to open the cell Mr Mandela was imprisoned in, before writing in the guestbook: “His legacy lives on in the hopes and dreams of young people here in South Africa and around the world.”

    Today, Mrs May wil meet President Buhari in Abuja before meeting victims of modern slavery in Lagos.

    She will leave for Kenya for a meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta, visit British troops and a business school before her Africvan trip is rounded off with a state dinner hosted by Mr Kenyatta.

  • Britain supports S/African land reform – PM May

    Britain supports South Africa’s land reform program provided it is carried out legally, Prime Minister Theresa May said in Cape Town on Tuesday, adding that she would discuss the issue with President Cyril Ramaphosa.

    “The UK has for some time now supported land reform. Land reform that is legal, that is transparent, that is generated through a democratic process,” May told newsmen.

    “It’s an issue that I raised and discussed with President Ramaphosa when he was in London earlier this year.

    “I’ll be talking about it with him later today.”

    NAN reports that on Aug. 22, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to study South African “land and farm seizures” and “killing of farmers”, prompting Pretoria to accuse Trump of stoking racial divisions.

    Trump’s comments have inflamed an already high-octane debate over land in South Africa, a country that remains deeply racially divided and unequal nearly a quarter of a century after Nelson Mandela swept to power at the end of apartheid.

    “I have asked Secretary of State @SecPompeo to closely study the South Africa land and farm seizures and expropriations and large scale killing of farmers,” Trump said on Twitter.

    South Africa’s foreign ministry will seek clarification of Trump’s comments from the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokeswoman said, adding that Trump was “misinformed”.

    Read Also: UK PM May for Abuja, Lagos tomorrow

    “South Africa totally rejects this narrow perception which only seeks to divide our nation and reminds us of our colonial past,” a tweet from South Africa’s official government account said in response to Trump’s comments.

    South Africa’s communications minister said Trump’s tweet would not affect relations between South Africa and the United States.

    “The tweet has not determined our approach to the United States on our current relationship and future relationship,” Nomvula Mokonyane said after a cabinet meeting.
    The U.S. State Department was not immediately available for comment on Trump’s tweet.

    Ramaphosa announced on Aug. 1 that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) plans to change the constitution to allow the expropriation of land without compensation, as whites still own most of South Africa’s land.

    Ramaphosa has said any land reform will be conducted without an impact on economic growth or food security.

    No land has been “seized” since the reform plans were announced, the ANC says.

    Trump’s tweet appeared to be a response to a Fox News report on Wednesday that focused on South Africa’s land issue and murders of white farmers.

    Violent crime is a serious problem across South Africa and 47 farmers were killed in 2017, according to statistics from AgriSA, an association of agricultural associations.

    However, farm murders are at a 20-year low.

    Since the end of apartheid in 1994, the ANC has followed a “willing-seller, willing-buyer” model under which the government buys white-owned farms for redistribution to blacks.

    Progress has been slow and most South Africans believe something has to be done to accelerate change, providing it does not hurt the economy or stoke unrest.

    “Reforming the land distribution and ownership will be good for South Africa,” said political analyst Nic Borain.
    “That there will be instability and worries about property rights is inevitable, but we don’t expect that the government will act in a way that radically destabilises investor security.”

    Trump’s tweet came days after it was announced that his wife, Melania, would travel to Africa in October for her first major solo international trip as first lady.

    In January, South Africa protested to the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria about reported remarks by Trump that some immigrants from Africa and Haiti came from “shithole” countries.

    South Africa’s foreign ministry called the remarks, which sources said Trump made during a meeting on immigration legislation, “crude and offensive” and said Trump’s subsequent denial was not categorical.

    AfriForum, an organization that mostly represents white South Africans who have described land expropriation as “catastrophic”, traveled to the U.S. earlier this year to lobby the Senate and other officials.

  • May rejects EU’s draft option for Northern Ireland

    May rejects EU’s draft option for Northern Ireland

    A European Union proposal for Northern Ireland border threatens the “constitutional integrity” of the United Kingdom, Theresa May has said.

    The EU’s draft legal agreement proposes a “common regulatory area” after Brexit on Ireland – in effect keeping Northern Ireland in a Customs union – if no other solution is found.

    May said “no UK prime minister could ever agree” to this.

    The EU says the “backstop” option is not intended to “provoke” the UK.

    Unveiling the draft agreement on what has proved to be a busy day for Brexit news, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier called on the UK to come up with alternatives.

    He said the text was “no surprise” and was just a legally-worded assessment of what had been agreed in the negotiations so far.

    The EU’s 120-page paper covers issues, which have been negotiated so far – including the UK’s financial settlement, citizens’ rights and the future of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland – which is a member of the EU – after Brexit.

    On how to avoid border checks in Northern Ireland, the EU says a “backstop” is needed in case neither of the UK’s preferred solutions can be found.

    This would involve an “area without internal borders in which the free movement of goods is ensured”, covering Customs, VAT, energy, agriculture, goods and other sectors, across the island of Ireland.